The Health Calendar is a listing of support groups, activities and lectures. Send information to Health Calendar, The Augusta Chronicle Newsroom, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, GA 30903-1928. Send information by fax to (706) 722-7403 and send e-mail to newsroom@augustachronicle.com. Please include a contact name and phone number.

SPECIALS

alzheimer's educational conference: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 9, Newberry Hall, 117 Newberry Road S.W., Aiken; with Teepa Snow, an occupational therapist currently working as a dementia care specialist; $25; breakfast and lunch provided; (803) 642-8444 or aikeneg. dcr@sunriseseniorliving.com

bariatric surgery information session: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays, July 9 and 16, Trinity Hospital, ground floor conference room, 2260 Wrightsboro Road; in-depth information on weight-loss surgery; (706) 481-7298

living with multiple sclerosis as a family: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 11, Fort Discovery, 1 Seventh St.; allows children and adults to experience what it's like to have multiple sclerosis through games, discussions, demonstrations and more; complementary boxed lunch provided; free; space limited; registration required; (888) 792-2937 ext. 7024

free health screenings at walgreens stores: Noon to 6 p.m.; July 31, 3204 Peach Orchard Road, (706) 796-7240; Aug. 1, 3900 Washington Road, (706) 868-8084; Aug. 2, 3328 Wrightsboro Road, (706) 733-3715

Child Safety Seat Inspection: First Fridays, Medical College of Georgia Annex II, 15th Street; how to use a car seat; free; (706) 721-7606

Family Focused Childbirth Tours: 2-3 p.m. first Mondays, 12:30-1:30 p.m. first Saturdays, Trinity Hospital of Augusta, 2260 Wrightsboro Road; tours of mother/baby wing; (706) 481-7727

HOME CARE ASSESSMENT: In-home clinical care or personal aides provided by University Home Health Services; free; (706) 774-4160

CLASSES

american sign language-beginners: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center, first floor conference room, 1446 Harper St.; $40, plus $35 for text materials; (706) 721-6929

ARTHRITIS AQUATICS: 9-9:45 and 10-10:45 a.m., 12:15-1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Walton Rehabilitation Hospital Outpatient Building, 1355 Independence Drive; $37.50 per month; (706) 823-5294

BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR EXERCISE: 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays, Walton Rehabilitation Hospital, 1355 Independence Drive; (706) 823-5294

BREAST-FEEDING CLASSES: 6:45-9 p.m. third Tuesdays, Medical College of Georgia Ambulatory Care Center, fifth floor, Room 5306, 1447 Harper St.; provides support and knowledge on breast-feeding; free; registration required; (706) 721-9351

BREAST SELF-EXAM CLASSES: 4 p.m. second Mondays, University Hospital Breast Health Center, Professional Center 2, Suite 205, 818 St. Sebastian Way; free; registration required; (706) 774-4141

CAR SEAT CLASSES: 9:30 a.m. to noon third Mondays, Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center, first-floor classroom, 1446 Harper St.; safety, education and training; $10 fee; registration required; financial assistance available to Medicaid or Peach Care eligible families; (706) 721-7606

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION AND PARENT PREPARATION: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. third Saturdays, Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center, 1446 Harper St., first-floor conference center; discussion with tools and techniques; plan to attend in fifth to ninth months of pregnancy; $50; registration required; (706) 721-9351

FIBROMYALGIA AQUATICS: Noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Walton Rehabilitation Hospital Outpatient Building, 1355 Independence Drive; $32 per month; (706) 823-5294

JOINT EFFORTS: 11-11:45 A.M. THURSDAYS, AUGUSTA ORTHOPAEDIC CLINIC, 1521 ANTHONY ROAD; CAUSES OF KNEE AND HIP PAIN AND LATEST TREATMENTS, TIPS ON MEDICINE, FOOD AND EXERCISE; (706) 481-7604

MY BROTHAZ HOME INC.: HIV-prevention education and risk-reduction counseling; weekly educational groups; call for times and locations; (706) 798-0244

NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR MENTAL HEALTH: 6 p.m. board meeting, 7 p.m. membership meeting, first Thursdays, Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2261 Walton Way; for those inter-ested in mental health issues; volunteers and computer needed; (706) 733-8838

WEE WISDOM-CARING FOR NEWBORNS: NOON TO 1 P.M. WEDNESDAYS, MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER, FIRST FLOOR, FAMILY RESOURCE LIBRARY, 1446 HARPER ST.; FREE; FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN UNDER 5; TOPICS ON NEWBORN CARE; (706) 721-5437

support groups

Alcoholics Anonymous: For anyone who needs help with drinking problems; call for meeting times and locations; (706) 860-8331

ALS SUPPORT GROUP: 11 A.M. TO 2 P.M. FIRST THURSDAYS, MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA AMBULATORY CARE CENTER, FOURTH FLOOR, ROOM 4306, 1447 HARPER ST.; FOR ALS PATIENTS AND THEIR LOVED ONES; RESERVATIONS REQUIRED; LUNCH PROVIDED; (888) 636-9940

ALZHEIMER'S CARE: 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, Jud C. Hickey Center for Alzheimer's Care, 1901 CENTRAL AVE. ; (706) 738-5039

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE-RICHMOND COUNTY: 10 A.M. FIRST THURSDAYS, ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION, AUGUSTA OFFICE, 1899 CENTRAL AVE.; (706) 731-9060

alzheimer's disease-westwood: 3 p.m. third Thursdays, Westwood Nursing Facility Conference Room, 561 University Drive; (706) 731-9060

ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays, Alzheimer's Association, Augusta chapter, 1899 Central Ave.; (706) 731-9060

BETTER BREATHERS: 11:30 a.m. second Tuesdays, University Hospital Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Center, St. Sebastian Way at 13th Street; bring covered dish; (706) 774-5864

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: 5:30-7 P.M. SECOND THURSDAYS, MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA HOSPITAL, FIRST FLOOR, BREAST HEALTH SERVICES, 1120 15TH ST.; (706) 721-4726

BREAST SELF-EXAM: 4 p.m. second Mondays, University Hospital Breast Health Center, Professional Center 2, Suite 205, 818 St. Sebastian Way; free; registration required; (706) 774-4141, (866) 774-4141

CANCER SHARE: 7 p.m. first Mondays, University Hospital, Cancer Learning Center, Professional Center 2, Suite 104, 818 St. Sebastian Way; registration required; (706) 774-7000

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: 6-7 P.M. SECOND THURSDAYS, AUGUSTA ONCOLOGY ASSOCIATES, 3696 WHEELER ROAD; FREE; (706) 651-2283

caregiver support group: 2-3 p.m. second Tuesdays, Doctors Hospital, Medical Office Building I, Cradle Club Classroom, Suite 310, 3623 J. Dewey Gray Circle; (706) 651-2283

celiac disease support group: 7-8:30 p.m. third Tuesdays; Summerville Building, Suite 120, 2258 Wrightsboro Road; also for gluten intolerance; Rose Cruickshank (706) 738-8253, roseforhealth@aol.com

Coping with Grief and Loss Group: 6-7 p.m. third Thursdays, Doctors Hospital, Medical Office Building I, Suite 110, 3623 J. Dewey Gray Circle; refreshments; (706) 650-1522

CSRA Bereaved Parents: Grief support for parents, siblings and grandparents after the death of a child; 7:30 p.m. third Tuesdays, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 3185 Wheeler Road; Cathy McNitt, (803) 279-8179

CSRA PARKINSON'S SUPPORT GROUP: 6 p.m. fourth Tuesdays, dining room in St. John Towers, 724 Greene St.; for Parkinson's patients, caregivers, family and friends; (706) 364-1662

EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP FOR CHILDREN: 10 a.m. third Saturdays, University Hospital Education Center, third floor, 1350 Walton Way; for infants through elementary-school age; (706) 863-5557

DIALYZE FOR LIFE: 6-7 P.M. first Thursdays, 1829 Wrightsboro Road, in front of Macedonia Baptist Church; for dialysis patients, group support and help; free; (706) 447-1114

HUNTINGTON DISEASE GROUP: 6:30 p.m. first Thursdays, Medical College of Georgia Movement Disorders Clinic, Marks Building, Room 1122, 1429 Harper St.; (706) 721-4895

LEUKEMIA AND MYELOMA SUPPORT: 7-8:30 P.M. SECOND MONDAYS, WARREN BAPTIST CHURCH, 3203 WASHINGTON ROAD; (800) 399-7312

LIVING WELL WITH DIABETES: 5 p.m. second Thursdays, University Hospital cafeteria Conference Rooms 1 and 2, 1350 Walton Way; adult support group; (706) 868-3241

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SUPPORT GROUP: 6-7:30 P.M. LAST MONDAYS, MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA HOSPITAL, SIXTH FLOOR, AUGUSTA MS CENTER, 1120 15TH ST.; DINNER PROVIDED; (706) 721-7239

my mom has breast cancer group: 5 p.m. third Thursdays, University Hospital Breast Health Center, Professional Center 2, Suite 205, 818 St. Sebastian Way; (706) 774-4141

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS MEETINGS: Meetings throughout the week; open discussion, closed discussion (addicts only), open text study, step study; smoking and nonsmoking areas; (706) 855-2410, (706) 855-2419

NON-OFFENDING CAREGIVERS OF ABUSED CHILDREN: 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Child Advocacy Center, 2312 Walden Drive; Maggie Tucker, (706) 737-4631

PARENTS HEALING TOGETHER: 7 P.M. FIRST MONDAYS, UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, PRE-ADMIT/TESTING WAITING ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 1350 WALTON WAY; FOR PARENTS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE LOST INFANTS THROUGH MISCARRIAGE, DEATH, ECTOPIC PREGNANCY OR STILLBIRTH; (706) 774-2751, (706) 774-5802

PINK MAGNOLIAS BREAST CANCER: 6:30 p.m. second Mondays, University Hospital, Breast Health Center, Professional Center 2, Suite 205, 818 ST. SEBASTIAN WAY ; group for partners of women with breast cancer meets at same time; free; (706) 774-4141

PREGNANCY LOSS GROUP: First Tuesdays; for anyone affected by the loss of a baby; call (706) 721-8299 for times

SICKLE CELL SUPPORT GROUP: 6-7:30 p.m. second Mondays, Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Downtown Division, Room 2B106, 950 15th St.; Mary L. Brown, (706) 793-8471

SKIP TO MY LUPUS: 6:30 p.m. second Saturdays, Doctors Hospital, Medical Office Building I, Suite 309, Classroom 1, 3623 J. Dewey Gray Circle; for those with lupus and similar autoimmune disorders; (706) 496-2558, www.skiptomylupus.org

TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY CHAPTER GA 110: 5:15-6:15 P.M. SOCIAL AND PRIVATE WEIGH-IN, 6:30-7:30 P.M. MEETING AND MOTIVATION, MONDAYS, ST. ALBAN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, FELLOWSHIP HALL, 2321 LUMPKIN ROAD; NONPROFIT WEIGHT LOSS SUPPORT GROUP; JOY SOUTHERN, (706) 737-1120, WWW.TOPS.ORG

WEIGHT LOSS AND BARIATRIC SURGERY INFORMATION AND SUPPORT GROUP: Information meeting 5:30 p.m., support meeting 7-8:30 p.m. first Thursdays, Trinity Hospital, ground floor, Sister Mary Louise Conference Room, 2260 Wrightsboro Road; (706) 481-7298

COMMUNITY SERVICE

TRINITY HOSPITAL: Trinity Hospice, a department of Trinity Home Services, needs volunteers; Ronnie Merry, (706) 729-6328, (800) 533-3949, Ronnie.Merry@Triadhospitals.com

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center Red Wagon Society looking for members to assist with fundraisers, volunteer at events and play with young patients; (706) 721-4004